Reconciliation Week 2019 OKI Sign - Jared Gyorffy

thingiverse

Given the chance to contribute to Reconciliation Week, three University of Lethbridge new media students working through the Agility Program seized the opportunity to make something truly unique. Using 3D printers, the group designed desktop gifts depicting the traditional Blackfoot greeting, Oki, as a small standup sign. The gifts were then presented to dignitaries who visited the city for Reconciliation Week activities, including mayors attending the Mid-Sized Cities Mayors' Caucus meeting. "On Monday, Oki became the official greeting of the City of Lethbridge and we sought a way to provide a meaningful gift to some visiting dignitaries that reflected Blackfoot culture and language," says Perry Stein, Indigenous relations advisor. "As 2019 marked the International Year of Indigenous Languages, we aimed to celebrate this theme as part of Reconciliation Week while encouraging ongoing conversations beyond this week or year." Stein reached out to the U of L's Department of New Media, who in turn contacted the Agility Program. He met with Jared Gyorffy, Connor Kingston, and Sara Szel and briefed them on the project's background, empowering them to start designing prints that would be presented as gifts within a week. "Perry shared the reconciliation logo, context of the Oki sign, and city plans with the students," says Brandy Old, agility manager. "They effectively integrated their own design elements into the process, demonstrating remarkable understanding and empathy for the Blackfoot story despite being from diverse backgrounds." Team members on the Oki Reconciliation Week gifts affirm that collaborating with a community partner facilitated relationship building and fostered an appreciation for the importance of reconciliation efforts.